There’s no denying Pitt will not easily replace Justin Champagnie. But coach Jeff Capel is continuing to replenish the roster, getting a verbal commitment Monday — the same day Champagnie declared for the NBA Draft — from junior college forward Chris Payton.

#COMMITTED ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/c0V9H72S63

— Chris Payton (@chris_payton_) May 10, 2021

Payton, who played at Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College the past two seasons, is the fourth player added to the Pitt roster since the end of the season. He joins incoming freshman forward Nate Santos and transfers Jamarius Burton, a 6-4 guard from Texas Tech, and forward Dan Oladapo, who played at Oakland (Mich.).

“Chris is a terrific athlete who has used his time at the junior college level to develop into a high major prospect,” Capel said in statement. “We are excited about the competitiveness, toughness and ability to play above the rim we have seen from his play and believe he will fit in well with the team we are building.

“Chris has the ability to play multiple positions on the floor and impact the game in a variety of ways.”

While helping the team finish 30-3 and 21-3 the past two seasons, Payton, 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, averaged a double-double last season (12.5 points/10 rebounds) and 10.8 and 5.3 as a freshman.

Payton, who played high school basketball at Bloomington (Ill.) High School, originally committed to Southern Illinois before attending Indian Hills. He has three years of college eligibility remaining.

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